Tesla CEO Elon Musk claimed that his estranged transgender daughter was “killed” following her gender-affirming care, which prompted him to declare his intent to “destroy the woke mind virus.”
During an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, Musk criticized gender-reassignment surgery, referring to it as “child mutilation and sterilization.” He shared that his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, who publicly came out as transgender at the age of 16, received gender-affirming care during the pandemic.
“I was essentially tricked into signing documents for one of my older boys,” Musk said, noting that Wilson does not use his last name anymore. He explained that he was misled about the situation, citing concerns about suicide amid the confusion surrounding COVID-19.
Musk expressed concern about the treatment of children who are below the age of consent, agreeing with Peterson that the practice is “incredibly evil” and suggesting that advocates for it should face imprisonment. He also expressed regret that he was not adequately informed that puberty blockers are essentially sterilization drugs, despite their lack of direct impact on fertility.
“I was tricked into doing this,” Musk said, lamenting the loss of his son. He referred to the term “deadnaming” and emphasized its significance to him, implying a profound sense of loss.
These remarks were made shortly after Musk announced that X and SpaceX would relocate to Texas in response to California’s AB1955, known as the SAFETY Act, which restricts parental notification requirements related to a child’s transgender identity and mandates state resources for LGBTQ+ youth. Musk has faced accusations of transphobia and promoting anti-trans narratives in the past.
In 2022, Musk’s daughter sought a name change and a new birth certificate, indicating that she wished to dissociate from her biological father completely. Musk has attributed the strained relationship to her progressive schooling in Los Angeles, as described in Walter Isaacson’s biography of the tech billionaire, suggesting that this relationship has influenced Musk’s “anti-woke sentiments.”
In recent years, Musk has shifted from his previously center-left political stance to align more with right-wing perspectives on various issues, including diversity, election integrity, and immigration. Earlier this month, he endorsed the Republican presidential ticket of former president Donald Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, both supporters of the oil industry and opponents of clean energy initiatives.